High five for Cristiano Ronaldo in Dubai!

Dubai, (UAE): Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the Best Player of the Year crown for the fifth time at the 10th Globe Soccer Awards tonight (Jan 3) as the world of football turned out to honour the sport’s best in Dubai.

The Juventus and Portuguese superstar – winner of the title in 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017 – edged out French Fifa World Cup-winning pair Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann to lift the prestigious award, presented by HE Mattar Al Tayer, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

Title-sponsored by Dubai Holding and supported by Audi, du, Meraas and Emirates, the Globe Soccer Awards honoured many of the biggest names in the sport as well as Middle Eastern football celebrities.

French national team coach Didier Deschamps, only the third man to lift the Fifa World Cup as both player and coach, was named Best Coach of the Year, while Juventus’ Chief Football Officer Fabio Paratici collected the Best Sporting Director Award.

Other notable winners on the night included Fabio Capello (Coach Career Award, presented by du from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company), Atletico Madrid (Best Club of the Year) and Jorge Mendes (Agent of the Year).

The Globe Soccer Awards also recognised the careers of Fifa Deputy Secretary General Zvonomir Boban and French Fifa World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi, while Brazilian legend Ronaldo de Lima was also honoured with the Player Career Award.

From the Middle East’s footballing landscape, Saudi Arabian legend Sami Al Jaber won the Arab Career Award with Mohammed Abdullah of the UAE recognised as the Best Arab Referee of the Year.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, there was more to celebrate as his stunning goal for Real Madrid against Juventus in the Uefa Champions League semi-final was voted Goal of the Year by fans of online football community 433.